Operation of the pilotless drones (aircraft) was down to telemetry equipment, with commands being sent to the aircraft to take it to the target area under the watchful eye of the pilot of a shepherd aircraft who ensured it behaved properly en route to the target area where, using preplanned evasive techniques, the aircraft was turned sharply in order to avoid the missile which had just been fired at it Hopefully, the aircraft could be returned to base - often a precarious venture - undamaged so that it could be used for target practice again

One of the first things to become hard pressed into your memory from day one tho' was 'Ronnies Bar', just outside the airfield gates, and ideally situated for your morning break, snack or chat, or a loan from Ronnie to help you through till payday, while aircraft were away trying to avoid the missiles.

Ronnie was a lovely character,full of banter, who added to the attraction and enjoyment of the island, making life on the base so much more enjoyable. He was owed an absolute fortune by the armed forces when the base closed. I spoke to him on the phone in 2005 and his first question was 'Where's all my money all your British mates owe me ?'. His son runs a bar on the island now, but wouldn't be called upon, I guess, as his dad was, to finance 'a run ashore' on the 'never never'

Ronnie's even larger built brother Paul was also a lovely natured 'copper' who, more often than not, was found patrolling round Valetta. His attitude to his job and the varied forces who turned up on the island was absolutely brilliant. He was a real gent in all senses of the word who would only use his obvious weight advantage if someone behaved really inappropriately, and was never heavy handed. He didn't need to be!

In the two and a half years I was on the island it snowed for the first time in 35 years, with many a local under the age of 36/37 running round catching snowflakes and wondering why or how they'd melted. They'd only ever seen pictures or images on Italian TV. The same year the river in Rome froze over, again something which hadn't happened for a considerable number of years. Those of us from the UK were more than a little dismayed that the 'English Weather Syndrome' had followed us to Malta. It took some believing at first.

Though small, with extremely narrow roads in places, the island benefitted from the encampment of British Fleet Air Arm, RAF, and American forces personnel, but was going through a bad patch because of the activities of one Dom Mintoff who was rousing anti-British feelings on the Island in an attempt to get the British and American Forces removed from the island asap. I was a rifle member of the riot squad,initially, a job which, in itself, became a bit hectic operating in box formation but very vulnerable to rock barrages from locals on the buildings' flat roofs

Another big advantage the island had was it's close proximity to Sicily and Italy. Sicily was about about half an hours flight away and the Italian mainland about another half hour on top of that. If you hitched a lift with the Americans it was on the understanding that you arranged your own return transport. At that time there was still the superstition, or maybe Sicilian local feeling that anyone having tattoos was an ex prisoner, and someone who should be avoided, the local population even going so far as crossing the street to get out of your way. Shamefully, and in hindsight, it gave one a certain feeling of Power !!

I'd love to hear from anyone who was part of the islands' history out there in the forces at that time, especially from anyone who was on 728B, including PO 'Biff' Berry & 'Lt.Aitchison who, more often than not, flew the shepherd aircraft alongside the would be target aircraft. A fine pilot who loved swooping in and applying his airbrakes to position his aircraft smoothly in close proximity to the drone aircraft. He earned himself a reprimand on more than one occasion for his antics in the air, but accomplished he most certainly was. No-one would or could deny that.

Hopefully this will bring back memories for someone. Although 68 myself now - 21 at the time - some of the PO's and CPO'S from that period would be over 80 and probably in their nineties.